Ethics of preaching a faith to which you don't subscribe...
By thewatchlist
@thewatchlist (653)
United States
January 27, 2007 2:43pm CST
This is obviously a hypothetical question...
In this example/question, let's assume that the faith being discussed is Christianity.
Lets say there was a person who did not believe in god but they wanted to help others. To help peoplem, he/she decides to help others by getting involved in faith based ministry because he/she agrees with the values of that faith. The person intentially guides people to that religion and teaches them the religion because he/she believes that many people are more receptive to self improvement and counseling/therapy in the form of religion.
Where would you stand on this? Are there ethical or moral issues with this? Is this wrong even though people are benefiting via self-improvement, improved self worth, etc?
What if your clergy didn't actually believe in the god that he preaches about but is in it to actually help people (well, and most likely receiving financial benefits)? If you saw a benefit from the preaching/teaching, would his beliefs in the supernatural matter?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@beautifulceiling (1300)
• United States
27 Jan 07
I think that people who don't believe in a religion should stay out of it. You are not going to truly understand the spiritual aspects if you don't believe it, and are therefore not qualified to lead others spiritually. Also, the potential for abuse is too great. People have used Christianity for their own selfish motives for 2000 years and the results have never been good.
1 person likes this
@thewatchlist (653)
• United States
27 Jan 07
But what if it actually was done for the good of others? I do agree though that Christianity (and likely every other religion ever conceived) has been used and abused by people with selfish motives.
1 person likes this
@beautifulceiling (1300)
• United States
27 Jan 07
Spiritual good is not something that can be provided by someone who doesn't believe in it. There is the possibility that other good could be done, but since the purpose of a church is spiritual, someone who is not spiritual should not put themselves in a position of leadership where that is what people are looking for. If they want to help people in those ways then they should write a self-help book or start a support group or something like that. The PURPOSE of a church is spiritual. If the PURPOSE of the minister or leader is not spiritual then the congregation will be robbed of its true purpose. Other good things being done does not compensate for the undermining of the spiritual which is more important to a Christian than those other things. The ends do not justify the means.
1 person likes this
@thewatchlist (653)
• United States
28 Jan 07
I do agree that one who does not believe in a religion spiritually should not lead a church. That was only one question that I asked though.
The first question posed was simply about one getting involved in faith based ministry. I guess different people definine ministry differently. It is my understanding that many churches have many ministries. To "minister" does not require working from a puplpit. Most religions require their followers to minister (each may use a different word for this act), as in spread the word to others. For example, those traveling children's puppet shows are ministries.
1 person likes this
@pacodecabra (160)
• United States
28 Jan 07
I was, for a time, a Baptist evangelist. But as I began to doubt the things I was teaching people, I felt it necessary to stop preaching. It would have been hypocritical for me to teach people something I didn't believe.
@thewatchlist (653)
• United States
28 Jan 07
Thanks for commenting. I was wondering if my question would actually be seen by someone who was in a situation that somewhat relates.
I'm assuming that your doubt was relating to the supernatural aspects of your religion and not the stories of fellowship and good will. If you don't mind my asking, do you still do work in a capacity to help others?
1 person likes this
@pacodecabra (160)
• United States
28 Jan 07
I still volunteer for organizations that I think do good work. I have basically only stopped the part where I tried to convince others that my way was the best way.
1 person likes this
